Around the traps

Position Golf coach at Yarra Bend Golf Course. Also a performance and life coach to golfers and non-golfers.

State coach, Women’s Golf Victoria. Formerly Australian Institute of Sport coach and head coach of the NSW Institute of Sport golf program.

Work responsibilities Working with golfers from beginners to professionals to achieve their golfing goals. Incorporating mental and life skills training for golfers and non-golfers. Coaching the club golfer and weekend warrior provides great reward as improvement can occur in a short space of time.

Golf course membership None. Too much time spent watching, rather than playing.

Handicap Spending too much time watching and not enough practising and playing. Works well for those I’m coaching, but my game doesn’t stay sharp just by being on a golf course. Too bad we can’t learn by osmosis; on second thoughts, that wouldn’t be good for business.

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Most inspiring golf player Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman when I was younger. Of the current players American Rickie Fowler will attract thousands of young players with his flair. Inspiring female golfers include Karrie Webb (arguably Australia’s greatest) and Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, who are both brilliant athletes.

If you could play anywhere St Andrews around 1700. By that stage it was 150 years old, so well established as the home of golf. I can only imagine walking around the town at that time as well. Did it really take a whole day to make a golf ball?

Memorable moments Being part of any winning team. I have been fortunate to have coached Australian, NSW and Victorian teams to wins. The most recent is the Victorian women’s team winning the Interstate Series in September.

Tips As a coach I don’t like the word “tips" as it implies a short-term fix. But as you asked, the secret to improving is knowing how to practise. When you are practising, change clubs and target every four to five shots, this breaks the rhythm that can come from beating balls. Your practice efforts will transfer to the golf course better when you have variety in your practice session.

Most like to have a round with? Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. It doesn’t matter that they don’t play golf; I have so many questions.

Why golf? We are challenge-seeking beings. Golf provides plenty of that both as a player and coach. I have been a professional golfer for 30 years and am more excited about the game and coaching than ever.